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Matchbook Chardonnay Musque 809750ml2012Sku: 1876164*

Crew Wines is owned and operated by the Giguiere family. After selling R.H. Philips, owners John and his wife Lane along with his brother Karl decided to focus on a new venture – one that was dedicated to showcasing specific terroirs. Founded in 2005, Crew Wines produces approachable, food-friendly wines. The owners named the company Crew in honor of the many staff members who left R.H. Phillips to help them start their new venture. Crew Wines produces wines meant to explore the terroir of Dunnigan Hills and the California coast. To that end, the team has spent a great deal of time identifying and nurturing just the varieties that adapt well in this environment. Occasionally, a small percentage of coastal fruit is included to intensify natural aromas and flavors. Matchbook Wines are a tongue in cheek homage to John and his brother’s childhood when they used to get into trouble for lighting matches and setting off rockets.

Tasting notes

Compelling aromas of gardenia, jasmine, and honeysuckle are balanced by lively and luscious flavors of orange zest and lime peel with wildflower honey and caramelized sugar on the finish.

Technical notes

Chardonnay Musque 809 clone, which was planted in the family’s JK Vineyard, combines the fragrant aromas and flavors of Muscat with the creamy texture of Chardonnay. The fruit was cold fermented in stainless steel tanks with Epernay II yeast. The wine fermented for almost seven weeks and was stopped by adding a little sugar.

Other text

WHY MATCHBOOK?
As a farm kid growing up in the late 1950´s and early 1960´s John Giguiere was a confirmed pyromaniac starting various things on fire such as his father´s wheat field. At one point, fearing total ruin from his kids burning him out of the house and farm, his father took them to the city jail for an hour stay to impress upon his brother and him the futility of their fascination with fire. John and his brother answered at a later date by graduating from random fires to the launching of rockets which often blew up at some stage of the its journey resulting in more random fires and a call to the local fire department for help. They eventually grew out of this fascination with the “Matchbook” but still have fond memories of the power they possessed.
About the Appellation
Matchbook has seven products, all focusing on varietals that perform well in the warm Dunnigan Hills climate. We blend a percentage of coastal fruit to the Dunnigan Hills wines to add structure and intensify flavors.